"There are no Christians here, I venture to say, civil or military," responded Myrtis. "No follower of the humane Jesus would come within these walls, unless wronged and led, or bent on some heroic deed. But we worshippers of a hundred gods can thank our divinities for no good influence. I hate the gods: may they forgive me!" and the reflective lady smiled at her own bold scepticism.
"They are myths, so my brother says," added Coryna, with a look of decision and relief.
"Tharsos is almost a Christian," remarked Myrtis, "and with him I strongly sympathize."
"He is. But see, he is telling thy husband something, and look how earnestly Carnion watches his words. Of a surety something strange or startling is going to present itself next. The uncertainty about the time of the Christian's appearance must be removed, but my brother's signal will tell."
CHAPTER VI.
THE INDIGNATION OF THARSOS.
Tharsos was speaking with deep but suppressed feeling.
"I have heard of the maiden," he continued, "and have seen her in my native province. Her good deeds to the poor and the suffering have been countless. Her whole life has been work and pity and self-sacrifice. It represents the highest moral beauty."
"Strange," remarked Titanus sympathetically, "that the maiden has held up under prison life so long."